New Jersey Nets Team Report - March 6

(Basketball News) - Richard Jefferson poured in 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 78-74 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday at the Arena.

Kerry Kittles added 17 points and nine boards for the Nets, who have won two of their last three contests.

New Jersey’s All-Star point guard Jason Kidd missed his third straight game with a bone bruise in his left knee.

The Nets, who trailed by as much as 10 early, were behind virtually the entire contest until grabbing the lead with a four-point rally down the stretch.

The Warriors clung to a 74-73 edge when Lucious Harris, playing in place of Kidd, drilled a jumper with just under two minutes to go to put the Nets on top. Jefferson’s layup 36 seconds later handed New Jersey a three-point edge.

Jason Richardson missed a three at the other end, giving the Nets the ball back.

New Jersey then tried to waste the clock but Erick Dampier knocked the ball away from Jefferson at the top of the key to create a 24-second violation, giving the ball back to Golden State with 5.9 seconds left.

On the ensuing inbound, Richardson fumbled the ball off his leg out of bounds on a pass from Mike Dunleavy for what proved to be a game-ending turnover.

Kittles hit one free throw after getting fouled to cement the win.

Jefferson has scored in double digits in 21 straight games. He has averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds and three assists in his last two contests.

The Nets are off until Sunday when they visit Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. Earlier this season, the Lakers defeated the Nets, 100-83, at Continental Airlines Arena.